Outside Wawnet Inn:

Syndel watched as dawn was breaking the horizon in the east. The warm glow began to creep up onto the polished stone of the Imperial city walls lighting the area with a bronze aura. She pressed herself against the north wall of the Inn and slinked up to the half deteriorated rain barrel. As expected, her compensation and follow-up orders were nestled at the bottom. She collected her prize and instructions as she made haste to the foot of the main bridge. Under the arch she pocketed the gold and examined the note.

These are troubled times, my daughter.

Our "family" has been violated. There is one amongst us that is a killer amongst killers. Accusations are being cast, doubt lingers, and fear… is blinding many. Fort Farragut is no longer safe. Do not return there and make no attempts to contact me, for the others will no doubt use you to get to me.

Fear not, my child. I will make contact with you when the traitor is exposed, but for now it is best that you hide in plain sight until this matter is dealt with. Go to the Odill farm house. I have secured a few items just outside eastern fence line that will help keep you safe. Go now, my child, and may the Night Mother keep you safe in her cold, loving embrace.

Your Father,

Lucien Lachance

Syndel sighed heavily as she cast a flame touch spell and watched the note engulf in flame. She pondered on the words and fought the urge to seek out her father to aid him in his search. However, she had never failed to follow an order and placed her trust in his wisdom. She quietly mumbled a quick prayer to the Night Mother to keep him safe as rose to her feet and made way for Chorrol.

XxXxXxX

Nibenay Valley Road; West of the Nocturnal Shrine

The road was peaceful as the birds chirped in harmony in greeting the dawn. A cool breeze was flowing off of the Lower Niben and caressed his face as Joren removed his helm. He paused for a moment and took in a deep breath as his muscles eased slightly. He knew these calm little moments would be brief as the matter placed before him would no doubt leave few breaks once he arrived at the Priory. The moment was fleeting as he heard the sound of steel clear a scabbard.

XxXxXxX

"Surely, you must be mistaken, good sir." Mycroft prompted nervously as the Leyawiin guard drew his sword.

"You are the one. There is no doubt in my mind." The guard snarled as he looked to Nathiira. "Tell me, ma'am. Is his name Mycroft or not." Nathiira looked at Mycroft with a saddened expression as the look of guilt wavered on his face. The guard eyed the two them intently looking as Nathiira closed her eyes and nodded to the guard. "Ha! I knew it! It's scum like you that always try to weasel their way out of their crimes. You have two choices; you can pay your fines or serve out your sentence in the Leyawiin Jail."

Mycroft shrugged, "Well, you see… That is a bit of a problem. I am a bit short on gold at the moment."

"Ha! Typical…"

Mycroft looked to Nathiira, "Milady, would you be so kind to, perhaps, help me out here?"

Nathiira looked to Mycroft with a sorrowful face. "I am sorry, Mycroft, I cannot."

The guard turned and looked down the road as the light clang of heavy armor, coming from a dark armor clad Nord, closed in on his position. "What seems to be the trouble here?" the new arrival posed firmly.

"Move along, citizen, nothing worth troubling yourself over. A simple apprehension of a wanted thief is all." The guard replied as he eyed the High Elf intently.

"THIEF!!!" Mycroft exclaimed, "Thief is such a vulgar term. I will have you know-"

"QUIET!!!" the guard snapped.

"Hmmm… and what is he being charged with?" Joren pried as he stroked his chin with his gauntlets.

"This meddlesome thief is charged with trespassing, theft, evading the law, amongst other things."

"What is his fine?" Joren asked bluntly as Mycroft looked at him oddly.

"About one thousand gold."

"One Thousand!" Mycroft replied in shock, "Look if you let me return to my house I will-"

"I said… BE QUIET! You had your chance. Now you will serve out your time accordingly." the guard retorted.

Nathiira stepped in front of Mycroft, using herself as a buffer, "Mycroft, you are not going to win this argument, nor are you going to be able to talk your way out of this."

Joren glared at Nathiira and Mycroft in deep contemplation. "You, watchman…" Joren called out with a bit of authority to his voice, "If I were to offer up half of his fine now and escort him to his home to collect my front and the rest of his payment. Would this be permitted?"

The guard gawked at Joren in bewilderment as his eyes darted between all the subjects before him. "Well, I guess… I mean, no one has ever posed that before." The guard sized up the Nord and compared him to Mycroft, "However, you look as if you could handle him he were to skip out. So, I find it agreeable."

"Good." Joren replied curtly as he handed over a small pouch full of gold. "There is the first half. I will return with the second half as soon as possible."

"Very well." The guard replied as he sheathed his sword. "He's all yours…"

The guard turned and proceed south down the road as Mycroft placed his hand on Joren's shoulder guard. "Ha-ha! Thank you, my good man. I will not forget this." Joren eyed Mycroft hand and gazed into his eyes with firm reserve as Mycroft slowly drew back his hand hesitantly. "Oh, you were serious about all that."

"Yes… I was."

"Good, sir." Nathiira interjected as she tried to cool the situation. "What is your name?"

"Joren…"

"Joren… Mycroft… you more or less know. I am Nathiira. Is there perhaps some way he could merely payback the amount, like an indebted servitude?"

"Wait! Since when did you become my boss?" Mycroft exclaimed as he looked to her in shock.

Nathiira glared at Mycroft, her hands firmly planted on her hips, "Since YOU failed to mention you were a wanted criminal. If it were found out I aided a criminal, I could be dismissed from the Mage's Guild."

"Okay, point taken, but still…"

"Actually, that was my intent." Joren added flatly.

"WHAT!?!" Mycroft cried out and Nathiira stepped back confused.

"I have a task set before me. I know it will not be a simple one and one I cannot accomplish alone. I believe, in the future, your skills may be needed. That, and since the lady here is looking to make amends for her error, having a mage along would be an asset as well."

"So, you had this planned all along?" Nathiira probed intrigued.

"More or less." Joren shrugged, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

"Clever… truly clever, Joren. Well, I am apparently at your service. Where does that leave us, now?"

"You work off your debt or earn enough to pay your fines, either way you stick with me. Since, Miss Nathiira here is honor bound to see this through, I assume she will oversee your progress."

"I shall." Nathiira nodded.

"So, what is this task you… I mean, 'we' have to do, exactly?"

"First, we head to Weynon Priory. I will explain more once we get there."